[TheForge] tanning hides

[Saint Phlip]

This would likely be the resource you need to do it right. Tandy's
information is usually pretty good.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/Books-Patterns/61967-01.aspx

Also, if you don't want to go to the trouble, after you get into it,
Tandy Leather Factory has been running sales on upholstery sides that
would work for the purpose.

Depending on the size of the bellows, tanning the skins for it could
be a very slow process. Only do it if it's a labor of love ;-)
Otherwise, you may get pretty frustrated.


On Fri, Dec 2, 2011 at 10:29 PM, Bob Ehrenberger <eforge at centurytel.net> wrote:
> I know that this seems a lottle off subject, but it is blacksmith related.
> A couple years ago I had someone give me the wooden pieces off of an old
> bellows. I always intended to restore them but due to time and the cost of
> leather I haven't gotten to it.
>
> This year after skinning out a couple does it hit me that if I could tan
> them they would go a long way toward providing the leather needed for my
> bellows.
>
> So, have any of you used buckskins to make a bellows?
>
> Have any of you made buckskins? I'm following the instructions in a book,
> but have some questions.  To do a vegtible tan it says to use bark off of an
> oak tree.  I doesn't say whether it needs to be a live tree or a standing
> dead tree.  I cut down a large dead oak tree and am using the bark off of
> it, but was wondering if the tannon leaches out of the bark as soon as the
> tree dies or does it stay pretty strong as long as the bark is still on the
> tree?  The first batch of tanning solution looks pretty dark, the hide has
> been soaking for two days and is starting to develope some color.  This is
> pretty much what I have for this time, but I was wondering if next year I
> need to cut down a live oak for the bark, or is standing dead going to work?
>
> Robert Ehrenberger
> Shelbyville, Mo.
> eforge at centurytel.net
>
>
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-- 
Saint Phlip

So, you think your data is safe?
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/01/23/schneier.google.hacking/index.html?hpt=T2

Heat it up
Hit it hard
Repent as necessary.

Priorities:

It's the smith who makes the tools, not the tools which make the smith.

.I never wanted to see anybody die, but there are a few obituary
notices I have read with pleasure. -Clarence Darrow